More Lost

2001 | video | 10’30

Until very recently, anything purchased outside of Israel and cost more than 200$, had to be declared at customs, and the tax was very high. Many Israelis used to evade the declaration.“MORE LOST THAN GAINED” is the frustrated conclusion of one of four people who confess to the camera how they smuggled their own home-video cameras to Israel, revealing their reasons, their fears and their feelings, ranging from guilt to elated victory.“You don't smuggle just in order to save money, but as an act of protest.

Until very recently, anything purchased outside of Israel and cost more than 200$, had to be declared at customs, and the tax was very high. Many Israelis used to evade the declaration.“MORE LOST THAN GAINED” is the frustrated conclusion of one of four people who confess to the camera how they smuggled their own home-video cameras to Israel, revealing their reasons, their fears and their feelings, ranging from guilt to elated victory.“You don't smuggle just in order to save money, but as an act of protest.

Stills from video

Stills from video

More Lost than Gained has started accidentally. While filming another video, our camera has captured a monologue describing a home-video-camera smuggling incident. This monologue struck us as a very accurate reflection of the complex relationship Israelis have developed towards their state and its authorities. Looking for more stories and putting them side by side was the little research which followed. As we see it, More Lost Than Gained is a document about a country, which became the enemy of its own citizens. All the stories are real and are told by their original protagonists.

More Lost than Gained has started accidentally. While filming another video, our camera has captured a monologue describing a home-video-camera smuggling incident. This monologue struck us as a very accurate reflection of the complex relationship Israelis have developed towards their state and its authorities. Looking for more stories and putting them side by side was the little research which followed. As we see it, More Lost Than Gained is a document about a country, which became the enemy of its own citizens. All the stories are real and are told by their original protagonists.